Editorial standards
How we decide what
to publish.
SELF Principle publishes health education, not opinion and not advertising. These are the rules we hold ourselves to, and how to tell us when we get something wrong.
Who writes this
A physician reviews everything we publish.
All content is written or reviewed by Sean Hashmi, MD, a board-certified nephrologist and obesity medicine specialist. Nothing is published under his name that he has not reviewed.
Where our information comes from
Named sources, read in full.
We rely on peer-reviewed research, systematic reviews, and named clinical practice guidelines.
We name the source. When we cite a study, we say what it was, where it was published, and when.
We prefer randomized trials and large systematic reviews over single small studies.
We read the actual study, not a press release about it.
How we describe evidence
Each kind of evidence answers a different question.
We describe what a study can show, and we do not stretch it to say more.
Randomized trials
Randomized trials tell us what happened when something was tested. We say so.
Observational studies
Observational studies show associations. An association is not proof of cause, and we do not describe it as one.
Mechanism and animal studies
They explain how something might work. They are not evidence that it helps people.
Surrogate results
A lab value that improves is not the same as an outcome that matters, such as living longer or avoiding dialysis.
Prevention and treatment
Prevention is not treatment. Evidence in healthy people does not automatically apply to people who already have the disease.
Early or mixed evidence
When evidence is early, small, or mixed, we say that plainly instead of rounding up.
Independence
What we will never do.
Sell advertising on this website or newsletter.
Publish sponsored editorial content, paid endorsements, or affiliate links.
Sell your email address or your data.
Use fear or hype to get attention.
Present a single patient story as proof. Any patient example is a composite or shared with permission, with identifying details removed.
Ads on YouTube
YouTube may place ads on videos viewed on its platform. SELF Principle does not select those ads, and they do not influence what we teach.
Scholarship support
Charitable support for the SELF Principle Sports Scholarship is separate from editorial funding. Scholarship sponsors receive no applicant information and have no role in health education or award decisions. Sponsor recognition, when applicable, appears only on the Scholarship page.
Corrections
When we get it wrong.
Medicine changes, and so do we. When we learn that something we published is wrong or out of date, we correct it and note what changed.
Education, not medical advice
This content is for general education only and is not medical advice. It doesn't replace a conversation with your own physician. Talk to your doctor before changing your diet, medications, or treatment.
Found an error?
Tell us what needs review.
If you find an error, use the Contact form or email hello@selfprinciple.org. Include the page or video address and the specific statement you believe needs review.
Questions about how we work? Email hello@selfprinciple.org.
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